Foldable aerobic exercise chair

ABSTRACT

An exercise chair includes a supporting stay pivotally coupled to a primary frame, a seat member coupled to the primary frame and the supporting stay and adjustable between a working position and a folded storing position, two cables attached to the primary frame with pulleys and each having two end fittings, two handles selectively coupled to the fittings for being operated by the hands of the user, and two foot straps selectively coupled to the other fittings for being operated by feet of the user when the exercise chair is either at the working position or at the folded storing position. The exercise chair is useable to conduct ladder climbing exercises when the exercise chair is folded to the folding or storing position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a foldable aerobic exercise chair, and more particularly to a foldable aerobic exercise chair including a foldable and portable structure for being carried and operated indoor and outdoor and for conducting various kinds of hand or feet exercise operations, and including a resistance mechanism for easily and quickly attaching or mounting or securing onto the foldable and portable chairs that have been widely used for a long time and that may be easily available or obtained.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Typical foldable aerobic exercise chairs comprise a chair and a portable exercise apparatus adapted to fit the chair, and including a resistance mechanism to create resistance against movement, the resistance mechanism being engageable by a limb of a person when sitting in the chair and having a number of resistance position locations which can provide universal exercise for arms, back, neck, abdomen, ankles and wrists.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,420 to Heyes discloses one of the typical exercise chair comprising a body-supporting frame, a support member pivoted on the frame to support the frame in inclined position and having a seat, and a footrest swiveled on the base of the frame for swinging toward and away from the frame. A rope which is trained over pulleys connects a crossbar on the top of the frame to the footrest for transmitting a pulling force applied to the ends of crossbar to the footrest to swing it rearwardly toward the frame.

However, the exercise chair includes a movable and unstable structure that the user, particular the children or the elder, may feel afraid, and includes a complicated structure that may not be easily attached or mounted or secured to the typical foldable chair, and the typical exercise chair may not be used as a flat exercise apparatus for stepping exercises. In addition, the exercise chair should be specially designed and may not be available from the typical foldable chairs.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,243 to Wilkinson discloses one of the typical universal, portable exercise apparatus adaptable to fit a chair, comprising a back support removeably attachable to the backrest of a conventional chair, at least one elongate extension member removeably and adjustably affixed to the back support and extending through the point of reference and outwardly therefrom within a substantially vertical plane containing the line, and a resistance mechanism to create resistance against movement of the user, the resistance mechanism being engageable by a limb of a person when sitting in the chair. The apparatus has virtually an infinite number of resistance position locations which can provide universal exercise for arms, legs, back, neck, abdomen, ankles and wrists.

However, the exercise apparatus that is designed for fitting or attaching or mounting or securing onto the chair includes a rather complicated structure that may not be easily manufactured and assembled.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,296 to Wang et al. discloses another typical chair mounting exercising unit comprising two swinging arms having a bottom end fastened to either end of a U-shaped locating rod that is fixed to the back of a chair by a knob controlled lock device and a slotted side extension plate in the middle at an outer side movably hung on a screw bolt at either end of a horizontal frame on the back of the chair and a top end coupled with a pulley wheel assembly, and two elastic pull ropes inserted through either pulley wheel assembly and fastened to either swinging arm and an opposite end coupled with a handle.

However, the exercise apparatus may only be attached or mounted or secured to a fixed or stationary chair that may not be folded to a compact structure and that may not be used as a flat exercise apparatus for stepping exercises.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,708,670 to Bowser discloses a further typical seated row exercise system comprising a chair, and an exercise cycle assembly detachably connects to a chair frame of the chair, and an elongated support assembly.

However, the exercise system is attached or mounted or secured to a chair that may not be used as a flat exercise apparatus for stepping exercises.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional foldable aerobic exercise chairs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable aerobic exercise chair including a foldable and portable structure for being carried with the user and operated indoor and outdoor.

The other objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable aerobic exercise chair including a foldable and portable structure for conducting various kinds of hand or feet exercise operations.

The further objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable aerobic exercise chair including a resistance mechanism for easily and quickly attaching or mounting or securing onto the foldable and portable chairs that have been widely used for a long time and that may be easily available or obtained.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an exercise chair comprising a primary frame including a lower segment and an upper segment, a supporting stay including an upper portion pivotally coupled to the primary frame and rotatable relative to the primary frame between an opened working position and a folded storing position, a seat member being slidably coupled to the primary frame, and including a rear portion pivotally coupled to the supporting stay, the seat member being adjustable relative to the primary frame between a working position where the seat member is inclined relative to the primary frame and a folded storing position where the seat member is parallel to the primary frame, and including a back support pivotally coupled to the seat member and adjustable relative to the primary frame and the seat member between an opened working position where the back support is inclined relative to the primary frame and the seat member and a folded storing position where the back support is in line with the seat member and parallel to the primary frame, two first pulleys attached to the lower segment and the upper segment at one side of the primary frame respectively, and two second pulleys attached to the lower segment and the upper segment at opposite side of the primary frame respectively, a first cable attached to the first pulleys and including a first fitting and a second fitting attached to end portions thereof for engaging with the first pulleys, a second cable attached to the second pulleys and including a third fitting and a fourth fitting attached to end portions thereof for engaging with the second pulleys, two handles selectively coupled to the first and the third fittings of the first and the second cables for being operated by hands of a user, and two foot straps selectively coupled to the second and the fourth fittings of the first and the second cables for being operated by feet of the user.

The primary frame includes four attachments attached to the lower segment and the upper segment of the primary frame respectively for supporting the first and the second pulleys.

The primary frame includes a beam for engaging with and for supporting the back support. The seat member includes a bracket attached to the back support and engaged with the beam for retaining the back support to the primary frame.

The primary frame includes two pivot rods attached to a middle portion of the primary frame, and the seat member includes a seat frame having two opposite guiding channels formed therein for slidably engaging with the pivot rods of the primary frame and for allowing the seat frame of the seat member to be slid relative to the pivot rods of the primary frame.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a foldable aerobic exercise chair in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the foldable aerobic exercise chair;

FIG. 3 is a side plan schematic view of the foldable aerobic exercise chair;

FIG. 4 is another side plan schematic view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating the folding operation of the foldable aerobic exercise chair;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the folded structure of the foldable aerobic exercise chair;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the folding operation of the foldable aerobic exercise chair; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the operation of the foldable aerobic exercise chair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a foldable aerobic exercise chair in accordance with the present invention comprises a main or primary frame 10 including a substantially rectangular structure having a lower portion or segment 11 bent downwardly therefrom or tilted or inclined relative to the primary frame 10, and an upper portion or segment 12 bent rearwardly therefrom or tilted or inclined relative to the primary frame 10, and including a lateral reinforcing beam 13 attached or mounted or secured to the primary frame 10 and disposed or located close to the upper segment 12, a supporting member or stay 20 including a substantially U-shaped structure having a lower portion 21 for being engaged onto the supporting ground or surface and including an upper portion 22 pivotally or rotatably attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the primary frame 10 with one or more pivot pins 23.

As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the supporting stay 20 is pivotal or rotatable relative to the primary frame 10 between an opened working position (FIGS. 2, 3, 7) where the exercise chair is opened for supporting a user 8 thereon, and a closed or folded storing position (FIGS. 5, 6) where the exercise chair is folded to a compact and flat structure also good for supporting the user 8 thereon, and FIG. 4 shows or illustrates the folding operation of the supporting stay 20 relative to the primary frame 10. The primary frame 10 further includes one or more (such as two) pivot rods 14 attached or mounted or secured to the middle portion 15 of the primary frame 10.

A seat member 30 includes a seat frame 31 having a rear portion 32 pivotally or rotatably attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the supporting stay 20 with one or more pivot shafts 24, and having one or more (such as two) guiding channels 33 oppositely formed in the side portions 34 of the seat frame 31 for slidably receiving or engaging with the pivot rods 14 of the primary frame 10 respectively and for allowing the seat frame 31 of the seat member 30 to be movable or adjustable or slidable relative to the pivot rods 14 of the primary frame 10 between a working position where the seat frame 31 of the seat member 30 is tilted or inclined relative to the primary frame 10 and perpendicular to the supporting stay 20 (FIGS. 2, 3, 7), and a closed or folded storing position where the supporting stay 20 and the seat member 30 are substantially parallel to the primary frame 10 (FIGS. 5, 6).

The seat member 30 further includes a seat plate or seat cushion 35 or the like attached or mounted or secured on the seat frame 31 for supporting the user 8 thereon, and further includes a seat back or back support 36 pivotally or rotatably attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the seat member 30 with one or more pivot joints or hinges 37 (FIG. 1) for allowing the seat back or back support 36 to be movable or adjustable or pivotal or rotatable relative to the primary frame 10 and the seat member 30 between an opened working position (FIGS. 2, 3, 7) where the back support 36 is tilted or inclined relative to the primary frame 10 and the supporting stay 20 and the seat member 30 (FIGS. 2, 3, 7), and a closed or folded storing position where the back support 36 is in line with the seat member 30 and substantially parallel to the primary frame 10 (FIGS. 5, 6).

For example, the back support 36 is contacted or seated or rested on the lateral reinforcing beam 13 of the primary frame 10, or the back support 36 is loosely attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the lateral reinforcing beam 13 or the primary frame 10 with a bracket 37 (FIG. 1) which is attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the back support 36 and engaged with the lateral reinforcing beam 13 for solidly and stably anchoring or securing or retaining the back support 36 to the primary frame 10 and for allowing the back support 36 to be pivotal or rotated relative to the primary frame 10 between the opened working position (FIGS. 2, 3, 7) and the closed or folded storing position (FIGS. 5, 6). The back support 36 may be used for supporting the back portion of the user 8 (FIG. 7) when at the opened working position (FIGS. 2, 3, 7) and may be used for supporting or for being stepped by the user 8 (FIGS. 5, 6) when at the closed or folded storing position.

The primary frame 10 further includes one or more (such as two) wheels or pulleys 40, 41 attached or mounted or secured thereto, such as attached or mounted or secured to the lower portion or segment 11 of the primary frame 10 with attachments 42 and/or fasteners 48 and spaced from each other, and one or more (such: as two) further wheels or pulleys 43, 44 attached or mounted or secured thereto, such as attached or mounted or secured to the upper portion or segment 12 of the primary frame 10 with attachments 45 and/or fasteners 49 and spaced from each other. It is preferable that the pulleys 43 and 41 are aligned with each other, and the other pulleys 44 and 40 are aligned with each other.

A resistance mechanism 5 is provided to create resistance against movement and is engageable by a limb of a person (FIGS. 6, 7), for example, the resistance mechanism 5 includes two resilient wires or cables 50, 51 attached or mounted to the primary frame 10 with the attachments 42, 45 and engaged over or engaged with the pulleys 40, 41, 43, 44, and the cables 50, 51 each include two attachments or loops or hooks or fittings 52, 53; 54, 55 attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the end portions thereof and contacted or engaged with the pulleys 40, 44; 41, 43 and/or the attachments 42, 45 for anchoring or securing or retaining the cables 50, 51 to the primary frame 10.

Two hand grips or handles 56 may be optionally or selectively attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the fittings 55, 53 that are disposed or located close to the upper segment 12 of the primary frame 10 for being pulled or pushed or operated by the hands of the user 8 (FIGS. 6, 7), and/or two further foot supports or foot straps 57 may further be provided and may be optionally or selectively attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the fittings 52, 54 that are disposed or located close to the lower segment 11 of the primary frame 10 for being pulled or pushed or operated by the feet of the user 8 (FIG. 7).

In operation, as shown in FIG. 7, when the exercise chair is opened at the working position, the user 8 may be seated on the seat frame 31 or the seat cushion 35 of the seat member 30 and may be rested on the seat back or back support 36, and may use the handles 56 to pull or push or operate the cables 50, 51 and to train or exercise the upper muscle groups. The user 8 may also optionally or selectively use the foot straps 57 to pull or push or operate the cables 50, 51 and to train or exercise the lower muscle groups. The cables 50, 51 may be solidly and stably anchored or secured or retained between the lower segment 11 and the upper segment 12 of the primary frame 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the exercise chair is folded to the folding or storing position where the back support 36 is in line with and the seat member 30 and substantially parallel to the primary frame 10, the user 8 may be seated or may step onto the seat member 30 and/or the back support 36 and may optionally or selectively use the handles 56 to pull or push or operate the cables 50, 51 and to train or exercise the upper muscle groups. The user 8 may also optionally or selectively use the foot straps 57 to pull or push or operate the cables 50, 51 and to train or exercise the lower muscle groups. The cables 50, 51 may also be solidly and stably anchored or secured or retained between the lower segment 11 and the upper segment 12 of the primary frame 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the exercise chair is also folded to the folding or storing position where the back support 36 is in line with and the seat member 30 and substantially parallel to the primary frame 10, the user 8 may step onto the seat member 30 and/or the back support 36 and may be used to conduct or to operate the ladder climbing exercises or the like. It is to be noted that the handles 56 and/or the foot straps 57 may be optionally or selectively attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the cables 50, 51 when the exercise chair is either opened at the working position or folded to the folding or storing position, and the exercise chair may also be used to conduct or to operate the ladder climbing exercises or the like when the exercise chair is folded to the folding or storing position.

It is further to be noted that the pulleys 40, 41, 43, 44 may be easily and readily and quickly attached or mounted or secured to the foldable and portable chair that have been widely used for a long time with the attachments 42, 45 and/or the fasteners 48, 49; i.e., the foldable and portable chair may be easily and readily available or obtained in families, and the cables 50, 51 and/or the handles 56 and/or the foot straps 57 may be easily and readily and quickly attached or mounted or secured to the foldable chair with the attachments 42, 45 and/or the fasteners 48, 49 and/or the pulleys 40, 41, 43, 44 by the users themselves for allowing the users to conduct various kinds of hand or feet exercise operations with less expenses.

Accordingly, the foldable aerobic exercise chair in accordance with the present invention includes a foldable and portable structure for being carried and operated indoor and outdoor and for conducting various kinds of hand or feet exercise operations, and including a resistance mechanism for easily and quickly attaching or mounting or securing onto the foldable and portable chairs that have been widely used for a long time and that may be easily available or obtained.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

I claim:
 1. An exercise chair comprising: a primary frame including a lower segment and an upper segment, a supporting stay including an upper portion pivotally coupled to the primary frame and rotatable relative to the primary frame between an opened working position and a folded storing position, a seat member being slidably coupled to the primary frame, and including a rear portion pivotally coupled to the supporting stay, said seat member being adjustable relative to the primary frame between a working position where the seat member is inclined relative to the primary frame and a folded storing position where the seat member is parallel to the primary frame, and including a back support pivotally coupled to the seat member and adjustable relative to the primary frame and the seat member between an opened working position where the back support is inclined relative to the primary frame and the seat member and a folded storing position where the back support is in line with the seat member and parallel to the primary frame, two first pulleys attached to the lower segment and the upper segment at one side of the primary frame respectively, and two second pulleys attached to the lower segment and the upper segment at opposite side of the primary frame respectively, a first cable attached to the first pulleys and including a first fitting and a second fitting attached to end portions thereof for engaging with the first pulleys, a second cable attached to the second pulleys and including a third fitting and a fourth fitting attached to end portions thereof for engaging with the second pulleys, two handles selectively coupled to the first and said third fittings of the first and said second cables for being operated by hands of a user, and two foot straps selectively coupled to the second and said fourth fittings of the first and said second cables for being operated by feet of the user.
 2. The exercise chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said primary frame includes four attachments attached to the lower segment and the upper segment of the primary frame respectively for supporting the first and said second pulleys.
 3. The exercise chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said primary frame includes a beam for engaging with and for supporting the back support.
 4. The exercise chair as claimed in claim 3, wherein said seat member includes a bracket attached to the back support and engaged with the beam for retaining the back support to the primary frame.
 5. The exercise chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said primary frame includes two pivot rods attached to a middle portion of the primary frame, and the seat member includes a seat frame having two opposite guiding channels formed therein for slidably engaging with the pivot rods of the primary frame and for allowing the seat frame of the seat member to be slid relative to the pivot rods of the primary frame. 